Letter from Fr. George Koeune, May 14, 2020

Finally! I have a little bit of good news to report (for a change). The Archdiocese has given some guidelines of how we will begin to open our churches. First, we will need to be certified before we are allowed to open. This involves training on cleaning and other safety measures. The training for certification is currently scheduled to begin the week of May 18. Re-opening will be phased in. Phase 1 will allow gatherings of no more than 10 people. This will allow us to have baptisms, weddings, funerals, and confessions (again, no more than 10 people at one time in the church). Because of the training which must occur, the earliest that Phase 1 could occur is May 23. Phase 2 will allow us to resume weekend and weekday masses for an as yet to be determined larger gathering amount (but not the full church). The timing for phase 2 will be announced at a later date.

Also, Our Lady of The Lakes received two small business loans to help with our church and school payroll for an eight week period. This will help ease the financial strain we have experienced during the pandemic, however, it does not cover our other costs. It is a loan strictly for paying our employees. While the two loans are good news, and they help us greatly, it is your generous contributions that are really sustaining us in the long run. I want to thank everyone who has sent in their contributions (through the mail or electronically). Your financial sacrifice during this difficult time is a blessing to our parish. You have taken great care of God's House and I want to thank you for being so faithful. This has been a difficult time, but I am hopeful that better times are right around the corner. Things are slowly opening up. Please stay healthy, remain positive, and keep praying!